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Article published Feb 3, 2013

The Past Speaks

20 years ago

Jan. 28, 1993

Another blow-up at a West Boylston selectmen’s meeting. This time, a stalemate between four members over how to handle purchase orders ended with one selectman suggesting those who did not want change were hiding something. When the affronted selectman attempted to explain his vote, two members walked out of the meeting, effectively ending the session.

The proposed Tahanto budget for fiscal year 1994, set to begin July 1, was $3,013,421, an increase of roughly 16 percent from the current fiscal year. The increases, according to the superintendent, were due to contractual obligations, the need for an additional English teacher and the need to replace a 30-year old boiler at the school.

West Boylston selectmen were reacting to Governor William Weld’s plan for an $8 million, 100-bed expanion of the Worcester County House of Correction. Selectmen were noting it was unfair that communities with state correctional facilities were given money to cover costs of hosting those jails, but communities hosting former county facilities were not. Selectmen noted the town had not even received building permit fees for the recent $40 million expansion at the jail and were asking the legislature to address the issue.

After 15 years of elected service, Judy Goodnow announced she would not run for re-election for her seat on the West Boylston School Committee. Goodnow was praised by fellow board members for her optimism and hard work.

10 years ago

Jan. 23, 2003

Master Sgt. Barry Esteves, of West Boylston, a member of the Army National Guard’s 747th MP Company, was deployed overseas. Although Esteves did not know the place of his one-year deployment, it was likely to be in the area of the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

After a two-year hiatus, Boylston Elementary School’s after-school program returned. Volunteers from the Parent Teacher’s Organization began the after-school program in 1991, but, since its return, the program was being run by the school. The programs included a chorus, candy making, and gingerbread-house making.

West Boylston selectmen, responding to residents’ complaints, were asking the state what was up with the five to six week bridge repair in Oakdale that had closed Beaman Street. The project started in September and was still under way. Selectmen noted the state had not been in contact with the town about a completion date. The Metropolitan District Commission noted more deterioration than expected had been found once the project started.

In the ongoing attempt to bring a Tahanto Middle/High School renovation to voters, Berlin officials backed the design fees after they were reduced from $700,000 to $400,000. The decrease was due to both towns agreeing to enter the state’s “Deferred Construction program.” That meant, the two towns would not begin building for one fiscal year, which allowed the state to spread out its review of paperwork, thus reducing its charges to the towns.